William Mckenzie's Story.
William Mckenzie Campbell was born on 1st September 1890, at Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, Scotland, the son of William M. Campbell and Marion Robertson Campbell. His father had been born in Midlothian, Scotland, in 1861, and his mother had been born Renfrewshire, Scotland, in Scotland, in 1861. The couple married prior to 1887, and by 1901, they were living at 16, Mersey Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, with their 4 children: Janet Campbell (born in 1887); James Campbell (born in 1889); William Campbell (born in 1890); and Margaret Campbell (born in 1893). William Campbell (Snr) was employed as a Manager of a Sweet Jam Factory. William Campbell (Jnr) was being educated at the Birkenhead Institute. By 1911, the Campbell family had moved to 57, Dacre Hill, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead. James Campbell was employed as an Analytical Chemist for Messrs. Lever Brothers, Port Sunlight, and his younger brother, William, was employed as a Chartered Accountant. The Campbell family also employed a General Domestic Servant by the name of Kate Jones (born in Mold, Denbighshire, North Wales, in 1889). From 1909 – 1913, William Campbell (Jnr) served in the ranks of the 1st/4th Bn Cheshire Regiment and had also commenced a five year engagement in the office of The South American Branch of Sir John Plender & Co., of London. Following the outbreak of war, he resigned his position. He was also insured by The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd., and had also been the Captain of the Bebington Hockey team.
William Campbell initially applied for a commission on 6th May 1915, which was granted, and he gained a commission as Second Lieutenant. He was subsequently posted to the 9th Bn Royal Irish Rifles. The Birkenhead News of 8th July 1916, reports that he took part in the quelling of the Dublin Rebellion (the Easter Uprising), but this can’t be correct as Second Lieutenant Campbell had been serving in France with his battalion since 3rd October 1915. He continued to serve with the 9th Bn Royal Irish Rifle’s until he was killed in action in Thiepval Wood, or attcking the Schwaben Redoubt, on the morning of 1st July 1916.
His body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield and is therefore commemorated by name only on Pier 15, Face’s A & B, The Thiepval Memorial, France.
His body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield and is therefore commemorated by name only on Pier 15, Face’s A & B, The Thiepval Memorial, France.
Second Lieutenant Campbell’s medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
Family application form requesting William to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
Family application form requesting William to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
By 1919, his mother had moved to 70, Coombe Road, Croydon.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.
Birkenhead News 8th July 1916
COUN. W. M. CAMPBELL’S LOSS.
Son Falls in the Offensive.
Councillor and Mrs. W. M. Campbell, of Dacre Hill, Rock Ferry, have received the official notification of the death in action of their younger son, Lieut. W. Mackenzie Campbell, who has fallen in the great British advance. The gallant young officer was an accountant and had commenced a five years’ engagement in the office of the South American branch, of Sir John Plender and Co., of London.
When war broke out he resigned his position, returned home, and obtained a commission in the regiment named. He was engaged in quelling the Dublin rebellion, and left for France only three weeks ago. He was formerly captain of the Bebington Hockey Club.
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have another son serving King and country, J. R., who joined the Liverpool Scottish at the outbreak of war. He was dangerously wounded at the battle of Hooge, and for some weeks great anxiety was felt for him. A wide circle of friends will extend to the South End councillor and his wife and family the sincerest sympathy in the sorrow which had befallen them.
Birkenhead News article and William Campbell's photograph by Chris Booth.
Birkenhead News article and William Campbell's photograph by Chris Booth.